I took a look at the pdf file supplied in the link and this is nimbyism at its finest.
It starts off looking like a general info presentation, but by the end of reading it, it's clear this group of 9 individuals who have gotten 40 signatures on a petition are completely against it and have listed some of the dumbest lamest excuses ever for opposing something. There's only one ridiculous reason missing from the list. Dizzy Edge knows the one
I love the front page quote:
Never doubt that a small group of
thoughtful, committed citizens can
change the world. Indeed, it’s the only
thing that ever has.
More like: Never doubt that a small group of
stubborn, committed citizens can
block anything and kill it for everyone else.
These are the problems they have outlined.
Problem Areas:
Number of Businesses / Offices
5 Retail units, plus presumably 5 office units if the same
size.
10 businesses operating from this site. Too much
development for a relatively small area.
The type of businesses that will occupy the site are
unknown. What kind of volume, traffic, noise, odor or
other situations will they generate?
10 different potential situations to consider.
Traffic
The Northmount / Brisebois Drive intersection is already
congested at times. Visibility will be compromised by a
building that extends out to the sidewalks.
Previous traffic study was done in summer – no school buses,
not much Calgary Transit traffic, people on holidays.
Many children walk / bike on that corner. It will be harder for
motorists to see them.
Gas Station had access from Northmount / Brisebois only.
Current proposal has access only from alley. How will people
know where to enter for the building?
Northmount Drive is a future bike lane to connect
Northland Drive with 10th Street. The bike lane will
remove a traffic lane, making it worse for vehicles
turning.
Congestion already in front of Co-op / University City:
bike lanes eliminated a turn lane.
Traffic studies were promised upon completion of
University City. They are still to be done.
Access only through back alley:
The alley is unpaved. The developer has stated that the
requirement is to pave behind his property only.
Snow, ice, mud will be a problem since the alley is not cleared or
cleaned. The alley will be in the shade of the building and in the
Winter, the ice will build up and remain.
Trucks / delivery vehicles are a concern. The loading area takes up
part of the back alley. Large trucks will find it hard to get in and out
of the alley.
Lighting – needs to be bright enough for parkade – will it intrude on
neighbors?
Signage – there would need to be signs on Northmount and on
Brockington guiding people to the parkade – unsightly and on whose
properties?
Parking
There is enough parking for the residential, with approx.
one spot / residence. There is only 1 visitor /
handicapped spot.
There are 7 Retail spots and 6 Office spots. There will be
5 stores and assume 5 offices. If there are 1 – 2 people
per unit, and 10 units, there could easily be 15 people
working there. They take up all available spots.
There are NO extra spots for the customers for 10
assorted businesses.
The parkade is a tight fit. How many people are going to want
to drive down an alley into a parkade with only a few potential
available spots?
What if there is no spot and you have to try to turn around
and get back out?
What if someone else is coming in as you are trying to get out?
What if there is a delivery at the same time?
There is no access from the parkade to the retail outlets. You
have to go out the main entrance and walk outside to get into
the businesses on the main floor.
There is a bus stop in front of the building.
The side of the building between the alley and Northmount is
commonly used as a turning lane. The developer has suggested this
could be 3 short-term parking spots, but it would block the
intersection if a single car is turning left.
The developer has suggested the bus stop could be moved, freeing
up 6 or 7 spots on Northmount. This relies on parking in front of the
corner house, plus it blocks the intersection more.
If residents of Brockington apply for parking permits, the parking will
just shift further down, to Braden or Brown Crescents.
The number of visits, averaging 37 per hour based on Traffic Study.
Retail Stores
The BCA letter of opposition stated that there are already
many retail stores in the area.
Do we have too much retail already?
University City is still not fully occupied, there is further
redevelopment at Northland Mall, Co-op Brentwood.
Comment at Council about some areas of the City
wanting more retail because they are underserved.
Joanna and Greg’s business study.
Area Business Study
Setting a precedent
BCA letter excerpt: Approval of the applicant’s
submission would establish a precedent that might affect
other C-N2 properties on Northmount Drive …. in both
Brentwood and Triwood, effectively establishing a
redevelopment policy without appropriate studies
(shadows, mobility, etc.), consultation of all affected
stakeholders, or process.
What Next?
1. Immediately:
Send letters to Steve Jones, the City of Calgary Planner
assigned to the file (
[email protected])
2. Copy Councillor Farrell’s office, but also all the other
Councillors
[email protected] and the Mayor
(
[email protected])
3. Copy the BCA so they know what the community thinks.
4. Make the letters personal. Tell about why you are opposed,
what you don’t like about it and why you will be affected.
City Council does react to volumes of calls, mails,
petitions, etc.
Call, write, email, twitter not only your own Councillor,
but all Councillors.
The developer will hold a community meeting probably in
November. Plan to attend, a crowd adds impact. Tell
neighbors and friends.
Prev
Linear Mode
